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An early start to indoctrination

Goar: Early learning is a better bargain, Dec. 7

Thu., Dec. 13, 2012

Re: Goar: Early learning is a better bargain, Dec. 7

To increase funds for early childhood education, we should reduce funds spent on improving access to the post-secondary variety? Well in defence of useless arts degrees, mine may not have gotten me a job, but it has given me the critical thinking skills to see beyond the surface of the argument made here.

If I understand this correctly: the government is spending to produce graduates who will not earn enough money (therefore not pay enough taxes) for this to be sustainable long term. So a better expenditure would be on early childhood indoctrination, because kids can be “taught to control aggression and persevere despite setbacks” (i.e. brainwashed to be obedient wage-slaves).

Basically the tax farmer (government) is wasting money on the old livestock after it’s too late. Better to start training the young ones early and gain a higher yield in the future.

At least an adult in post-secondary education can use their knowledge and experience to gain something useful. A pre-school kid doesn’t stand a chance against state propaganda.

Mike Sampat, Toronto

TD’s report on early learning is commendable but Carol Goar’s suggestion that funding be taken from universities is preposterous.

Today’s universities are doing more with less. Per student government funding for post-secondary education is half of what it was in 1977. Despite the related pressures, universities are producing the graduates in demand by today’s workforce and developing global citizens.

Goar incorrectly claims the value of a university degree is in decline. But each census report shows the value of a degree is growing.

From 1990 to 2011, the number of jobs filled by university graduates in Canada more than doubled from 1.9 million to 4.5 million while jobs in the skilled trades grew by only 31 per cent. Professional and management jobs grew by 1.7 million during this time, with 1.4 million filled by university graduates.

For new graduates, both employment and the relevancy to studies increase over time. In Ontario, according to a 2010 study, 92 per cent of university graduates are employed six months after graduation. That increases to 94 per cent two years after graduation. Six months after graduation 78 per cent of graduates work in an area related to their field of study. That figure jumps to 84 per cent two years after graduation.

Goar implies that many employers require a university degree for jobs such as retail sales. In fact only 1.7 per cent of retail jobs are occupied by university graduates, and their average income is $49,807.

Twice as many university graduates in sales are in fields such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, technical equipment and communications technology, with an average salary of $75,000 to $91,000. The vast majority of university graduates — more than 80 per cent — work in professional, managerial, technological and administrative positions.

It is not surprising that university enrolments are growing. But Canada still needs more graduates. According to federal government estimates, 75 per cent of new jobs in the coming decade will require post-secondary education.

With a huge demographic shift already underway and increasing global competition, Canada needs to mobilize all of its resources and talents to secure the high quality of life Canadians expect and deserve — and that includes enhanced opportunities in early childhood education.

Paul Davidson, President, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

During the last week of November yet another report on benefits of early childhood education garnered the attention of Canadian media. With a well-written effort the TD Bank has joined the chorus of those who believe that the economic argument for ECE is substantial and should be accepted and prudently acted on.

This week we hear that little progress has been made in reducing child poverty in Ontario; the Ontario government’s poverty reduction strategy has stalled thanks to, not in least, a stagnating economy and lack of investment.

The much vaulted introduction of full-day kindergarten stands alone and isolated from the wider societal enterprise of improving the present and future of our children, families and communities.

It is clear from various Canadian and international studies that increasing availability of child care represents one of the best short and long-term returns on investment that is possible. This is due to the large proportion of every additional child care investment that goes toward labour costs and, given the generally low wages paid to Early Childhood Educators, their salaries tend to get immediately recycled into the economy, thus generating demand for goods and services and stimulating additional employment in other sectors.

In fact, as the TD Bank report acknowledges, on the basis of other studies, child care as an economic stimulus program is much more efficient than just about any other sector.

It is therefore puzzling that TD Bank ignores its own analysis and recommends delaying any substantial investment until the government finances improve: “While governments at all levels are in no position to boost program spending at this time given budget constraints, this is one area that they should consider making a high priority over the medium term, as their finances move back into balance.”

Perhaps the largest omission in the TD Banks’ report is its failure to recognize and promote the need for a system that integrates early childhood education and care that is accessible for all children, families and communities.

Early childhood education without quality child care for those children who, by virtue of their family circumstances need it, will become a wasted opportunity to improve the social and economic well-being of our society.

The TD report, perhaps on purpose, fails to make the integration of early childhood education and care explicit. While the report makes good use of child care data, it conveniently switches back to the education paradigm as soon as possible. So let us be clear — it is about Early Childhood Education and Care.

Solving the complicated puzzle of how to provide the best possible childhood for all of society’s children is not possible without coherent, comprehensive ECEC vision, policy framework and implementation strategy. Initiatives such as Ontario poverty reduction strategy and full day kindergarten are often rolled out with great fanfare, but without a clear vision for the future of our children and the role that governments must play in working towards it.

Instead the government tinkers around the edges; in fear of offending the “taxpayers”; it ignores, in doing what is in our common interest, treating children as citizens who, in not so long a time, will be responsible for the future well-being of our society.

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